10 Unique Trivia Facts About Virginia You Might Not Have Heard Before
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Beth
Author
Living in Virginia is anything but dull. Not only does this state offer some of the most incredible natural attractions on the East Coast, but the history is absolutely fascinating. For proof of this, look no further than the following list of unique trivia facts about Virginia you may not have heard before.
1. The College of William & Mary is the second-oldest in the country.
And the Sir Christopher Wren building, photographed above, is the oldest standing academic building in the U.S. Its construction history dates back to 1695!
2. Virginia was originally supposed to be a silk colony.
Before tobacco was commercially grown in Virginia, the colony was intended to sell silk. However, a fungus wiped out the trees that the silkworms fed on, and so tobacco became the main crop.
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3. The Virginia state boundary originally included both West Virginia and Kentucky.
Kentucky would become its own state in 1792, and West Virginia would gain statehood in 1863.
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4. Virginia was originally divided into shires.
In 1634, the Colony of Virginia originally included eight distinct shires. This was based on a local form of government in England at the time.
5. Virginia has been called the Mother of Presidents, because multiple U.S. Presidents have been born on Virginia soil.
The "Virginia dynasty," as it's sometimes called, includes George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.
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6. Our state is one of only four in the country to have been established as a Commonwealth.
The states of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are all considered Commonwealths, which is a British term implying that a political community was established for the common good.
7. Hampton is the oldest continuously-inhabited English settlement in all of North America.
The city was originally established by colonists back in 1610.
8. Pocahontas Island in Petersburg is the oldest Black community in the U.S.
This community is listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places.
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9. The Island of Tangier has a unique accent not found anywhere else in the country.
Originally settled by English colonists in the 1680s, Tangier Island has a unique British dialect you won't find anywhere else in the state or country. Some phrases and patterns and speech can be traced back to Colonial times.
10. Naval Station Norfolk is the largest of its kind in the world.
Home to over 78 ships from the Atlantic Fleet, Naval Station Norfolk is the largest naval base in the entire world.
These are just a few fun facts about Virginia. Do you have any that you’d add to the list? Let us know in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you! If you love all things Virginia, check out this unique Virginia apparel and show off your state pride.
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